As summer comes to a close, things are firing on all cylinders in the health insurance world. We’re getting ready to serve you during this year’s enrollment periods. Health insurance enrollment is one of the most important aspects of your financial life, but we know it’s also a bit stressful. This brief guide should help you determine your next steps.\r
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Health Insurance Open Enrollment…

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Open Enrollment for all health insurance plans (except for Medicare) begins November 1 and lasts until January 31, 2018. It’s important to note this year’s more brief enrollment period. Make any necessary changes by January 31st.\r
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From now until November 1, gather your medical bills and evaluate the past year’s spending. Would it make sense to switch to a lower-deductible, higher-premium plan – or vice versa?\r
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Also watch for notices from your health insurance company. They will tell you if, and more importantly how, your current plan is changing. You might even wish to speak to your primary care physician about your coverage limits, so that you can decide whether a new healthcare plan might be a better fit for your needs. Then give us a call so we can help you compare policies.\r
If you’re enrolled in a Covered California plan…\r
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Even if you want to keep your current plan, you still need to log into the system and update your household and financial information. You need to do this so that your subsidy, if you receive one, can be calculated correctly.\r
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If you’re on Medicare…

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Your Annual Election Period runs from October 15 to December 7. During this time you can drop a plan, add a plan, or switch from one plan into another. Changes take effect on January 1.\r
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You can make some changes between January 1 and February 14. If you change your mind about a Medicare Advantage plan, you can drop it and go back to Original Medicare during this time. If you do go back to Original Medicare, you can add a Part D plan during this period.\r
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Late enrollment starts January 1 and lasts until March 31. If you forgot to sign up for Medicare during your original eligibility period when you turned 65, you can do that now. Keep in mind that you might be charged a late penalty, and coverage won’t start until July 1.\r
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If you decide to keep your current Medicare plan(s), you don’t have to do anything at all. They will automatically renew, although your premiums or coverage might change. Watch your mail for notices from Medicare, detailing these changes.